Parshat Vayakhel (Shmot 35:1) begins with the words: “Vayakhel- Mosehe assembled the entire congregation of B’nai Yisrael and said to them: ‘These are the things (mitzvoth) that God commanded you to do’”.

According to Ohr Pnai Moshe, it was essential for the Jewish people to be united at the time of the dedication of the Mishkan (tabernacle). Therefore, Moshe assembled the entire congregation of B’nai Yisrael. The completion of the Mishkan was dependent on the unification of the Jewish people.

Ohr Pnai Moshe adds that unfortunately, the reason that the Beit Mikdash was destroyed was because of sinat chinam, baseless hatred, the fact that the Jewish people were not unified.

Rabbi David MiTzotkov points out that every Jewish person understands the Mitzvot to the best of their ability. Some have a more intellectual understanding, some have more kavana (intent). Yet, where mitzvah observance is concerned, God looks upon all of us as equals and we must all join together as a community (kehillah).

At a time when the Jewish people are so divided, we must focus on what unites us in order to bring all Jews together to become a true kehillah, ultimately bringing us closer to the building of the third Beit HaMikdash which will never be destroyed.